New Greenie, Same Area

October 28, 2024 

Buenos dias/Bon Siman my beautiful people! This week has been somewhat of a fever dream as per usual, and now I've got a greenie, and I'm a trainer!

           Part of what has made this week such a fever dream was that I wasn't in my area for about 4 days this week. From Tuesday morning to Friday evening I was living in Otro Banda with the Zone Leaders while we waited for my greenie to arrive in the beautiful island of Kòrsou. It felt oddly reminiscent, kinda like getting to live with brothers for a couple of days. The Zone Leaders are absolute studs, so I had a blast getting to a trio with them for a couple of days.

     On Friday at about 5:00, my greenie, Elder Day, arrived at the Curaçao airport from Guyana. I can easily remember the insanity of the day I first arrived in Curaçao, including the feeling of hearing everyone speak a language you don't know, and it's not the one you studied for the last 6 weeks. He shared the same sentiment, as we immediately got home, dropped his bags, and went and got to work before game night. One new thing I learned about Elder Day: this man is a DAWG on the soccer court/field/thingamajiger. He came out and scored on everyone, and that was the moment I became a proud father.

      Elder Day is an incredibly hard worker. Even though he can't speak much papiamento yet, he is using all of it he can speak and has had me translate a lot so that he can be involved in our lessons. It's fun to watch him be willing to just throw himself in, and he's super eager to learn.

     I love you all. Know that God loves you and that he will always be there for you. Have an incredible week, and go hug your loved ones when you get the chance! 

-Elder Aldrich

Elder Day

New comp, who dis?

The way of the missionary

I Have an 18 Year Old Son Now

 October 21, 2024

 Heyo friends and family! I didn't get an email out last week because we had an incredible pday meeting I'll touch on in a bit. But that means yall get 2 weeks of adventures... Kinda. I don't remember much of last week, but that is the life!

          Father-son Duo

      We had an exchange last week, and with Elder seals as our district leader, I got to go out to his area and work with him for the day! It felt just like old times (8 weeks ago). We taught a few people, including someone who's entire mantle above their fireplace was covered in fireball shots. Two thoughts here: 1. That is a LOT of alcohol. 2. Who in their right mind puts a fireplace in a house in Curaçao?! It is 85 degrees and 95% humidity year round! Anyway, it was a fire exchange, and I once again learned a ton from him!

          Pday Festivities 🏈⚽⚾🇨🇼

     Pday the last two weeks have been a blast. Both weeks we found a huge soccer stadium and then played on about 1/8 of it. But we played mini soccer, kickball, and wiffle ball. Then on Monday we did pretty much the same thing again, but President rolled up and kicked everybody's trash. President Van Gils is one of the nicest men on the planet, but put him on a soccer field... Merciless. Our team still lost but President was carrying us through the game.

           Wise Words from President Stanfill

     On Monday, we had a Missionary training with Elder Stanfill, an area 70 over our area. President and Sister Van Gils flew out to Curaçao with them, and we had a 3-hour meeting and then dinner with them. It was an incredible experience to be able to talk with them. He talked a lot about the importance of planning ahead and letting God help you achieve your goals and how important it is to love the people of the place you're in. I also got to hear Sister Stanfill's conversion story; it was a great experience having them in Curaçao with us. 

           T-Doc Curveball

     This Saturday was Transfer Document. In the mission it almost gets treated like an NFL draft in the way it gets talked about. Just think of each island as a team, and you're halfway there. "Dude, I wonder who Aruba's getting!" "Oh, I bet Corbridge has got ZL!" It makes it a lot of fun because everyone is so stoked to see who's going where. This TDoc I figured that I would either stay here for another transfer with my current comp, or I'd be off to Aruba with another elder. But coming home from lessons that night, we saw a text on our phone from President. Ahhh, scary, one of the two of us is leaving. I'll set the scene for you really quick: Tdoc drops in about 15 minutes and anything we thought was happening is out the window. President talks to Elder Schiffman first, and tells him he will be heading back to Bonaire.

President: "Elder Aldrich! Is your papiamento as good as everyone says?" Me: "I hope so, sir!"

President: "Perfect. Well, Elder Aldrich, how would you feel about training a brand new greenie?"

Guys. I am slightly terrified and pumped out of my mind. So come Friday, ya boy here will have a brand new greenie out here in Buena Vista with him.

Highlight Reel

-Gamenight Glory: last week, I destroyed people at Dominoes (they can't guess your strategy when you don't have one), and this week, I missed the soccer goal countless times. In my defense! The goal is about 3ft by 2ft, and I can't aim a ball to save my life. But we still won 😎

-We had a day this week that was so strange I was confident I was going to get mauled by a car or a donkey or something crazy. It was too weird of a day for me to have been surprised.

     Remember that you are a child of God and that he loves you deeply and dearly. He's not going to let you go through life alone, so don't push him away. I love you all!

-Elder Aldrich

Baptism day pictures

Exchange with pops

T-doc sunset

Contemplating Conference in Curaçao

October 7, 2024

  HAPPY MONDAY MY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! Another week has passed out here in the beautiful middle of nowhere. I absolutely love it here and it's been a crazy week so let's get started! I apologize if it's long, but I'm not really... I love you all

          Greenies gettin' jiggy widdit

     Echanges rolled around this week, which means that Elder Smalley, the absolute stud, came to my area for 24 hours. To say it was a blast would be an understatement. For Reference, Elder Smalley Reminds me pretty heavily of my brother, Ethan. And similarly, we had a blast. I got to lead him through some of the craziness of the people and introduce him to the toothless population of Curaçao. My favorite of them all is a guy we are teaching named Gubert. He has been accepting the gospel wonderfully, but unfortunately, he cannot hold his bladder long enough to get him to church. But we will work on it I promise, mark my words this man's getting baptized. Many stories were told, much laughing was had, much coke was drunk, and some bomb carbonara was made. I may be a poor Missionary, but you can still catch us cheffin' it up out here sometimes.

          Mountains of Fun

     For P-Day last week, we hiked one of the like 3 mountains that exist on the island. For my Vegas people, think Lone Mountain but jungly. And for my non-Vegas people... Sucks, haha. The hike was all of about 10 minutes but it had to be one of the steepest hikes I've ever been on. It was a good opportunity to talk with friends and explore my new home for the foreseeable future! The top had a really cool flat spot where the 8 of us missionaries looked out over the country we are responsible for. It still shocks me that the growth of the church is in the hands of 8 18-20 year Olds. Especially since men top out at 14.

           What the heck bro

     Speaking of Ethan, MY BROTHER GOT FLIPPIN ENGAGED THIS LAST WEEK! And I'm so pumped for them! I'm really glad I got to know Sidney before I left on my mission because she was able to win my approval before I even left, so when it came around that they were planning on getting engaged, I was Flippin stoked for them. Just know 2 things. 1: I won my bet and Sydney owes me a trip to Disneyland. 2: I called this from the literal beginning. Welcome to the chaos, Sydney!

          General Conference

     I won't tell you all of my thoughts about General Conference because I took about 8 front and back pages of notes, but let's just say it was one for the books. I'll share with you my top 3 moments. (Elder Weise if you're reading this look away) 

     Elder Stevenson talk left me a little terrified if I'm being completely honest. He pretty much told us to buckle up because the next decade is going to be as insane and as amazing as the first decade of the church was. I believe he used the words, "The coming days are those that will never be forgotten." And so, buckle up cause life's comin. He also told us to live, care, invite, and unite. This is a great lesson for life. Paired with President Nelson's talk, we know that the time is now and that the savior is coming soon. Buckle up, and hold on tight to that Rod of Iron.

     Elder Hales gave a good reminder of the importance of the Atonement—something my dad always says, and I was reminded of frequently this weekend: "God doesn't expect perfection; he only expects your best." This statement pairs very well with Hales' talk. We were not sent here on earth to fail. Everything we have going on is for our own good. God expects the best we can do, and Jesus fills in those gaps.

     Elder Wilcox drove home the importance of standing in the light of the gospel and how sometimes that means we stand out. But I'd much rather stand out if it means that I'm standing with Jesus.

     I could talk to you for hours about how much I loved conference this weekend, and the general insanity of my weeks here, but y'all already stopped reading so I'll cut it there. This gospel is a gospel of Joy. Jesus Christ understands us perfectly and if we are standing next to Jesus, we are standing on good ground. I love you all! Mi ta stimá boso hopi!

Also congrats pops for the new temple in Italy!

This place is not a desert, 

Elder Aldrich

This feels like a necessary add in haha. Over the last 3 months in Curaçao, I have not tried Curaslanian food. It's Dominican, Columbian, Suranamese, you name it. But most people here are not from Curaçao, or their parents are not. But today, we had lunch with the branch between sessions, and it was straight Curaslanian food. I don't think I have ever been more confused eating food in my entire life. One of the things is called "Funchi," and I kid you not, it's just a brick of corn meal. And I mean a brick. 6 by 3 by 3 inch hunk of meal. It doesn't taste like much, so you just eat whatever with it and it takes on that flavor. It was wonderful for filling my bottomless stomach. Other than that it's a lot of sauce less pasta with meat, beans and rice, and weird parts of the chicken. 4/10 most likely will eat again